Barcelona and Real Madrid delivered another El Clasico for the ages as the Catalan giants edged their archrivals 3-2 in a pulsating Spanish Super Cup final on January 10, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This victory not only handed Barcelona their 16th Super Cup trophy but also marked back-to-back triumphs in the competition—something they hadn't achieved since 2011. If you thought last year’s final was dramatic, this one certainly upped the ante!
The hero of the night? None other than Brazilian winger Raphinha, whose dazzling form continued as he netted twice, including the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. His performance was a testament to his hot streak—he's now scored seven goals in his last five games for Barcelona. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with momentum swinging back and forth and both sets of fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The action kicked off with Raphinha drilling a low shot into the bottom corner in the 36th minute, putting Barcelona ahead and sending their supporters into a frenzy. But Real Madrid, never a team to back down, responded in dramatic fashion. As the first half drew to a close, three rapid-fire goals in stoppage time left everyone breathless and the scoreline all square at halftime. Vinicius Jr, who had been searching for his scoring touch, finally broke his 17-game drought for Real Madrid by nutmegging Jules Kounde and sliding the ball into the far corner just two minutes into the three minutes of added time. It was a moment of individual brilliance and a much-needed boost for the Brazilian forward, whose last goal had come on October 4, 2025.
But the drama didn’t stop there. With the clock ticking toward the break, Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead in the 49th minute, clipping the ball off the post after a slick attacking move. The Polish striker’s composure was textbook, reminding everyone why he remains one of Europe’s most prolific finishers. Yet, Real Madrid clawed their way back almost immediately. Gonzalo Garcia found the net just three minutes later, hooking the ball home after Dean Huijsen’s header rattled the crossbar. The equalizer came amid chaos in the box, and Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was visibly agitated, protesting that the half-time whistle should have blown before the goal.
As the second half wore on, the tension only intensified. Raphinha, who was everywhere on the pitch, produced the match-winning moment in the 73rd minute—a floated shot that sailed past the outstretched arms of Real keeper and into the net. The goal capped off a frenetic sequence of play and ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides.
But the drama wasn’t finished. In the dying moments, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong was shown a straight red card for a rash lunge on Kylian Mbappe, who had only just returned from a knee injury and entered the fray as a substitute. The challenge left Barcelona a man down for stoppage time and set up a nervy finale. Real Madrid pressed hard, with Marcus Rashford missing a golden opportunity when clear on goal, and both Alvaro Carreras and Raul Asencio forcing saves from Barcelona’s Joan Garcia. Yet, the Catalans held firm, displaying grit and determination to see out the win.
This triumph means Barcelona have now won 10 consecutive games in all competitions, a remarkable run that stretches back to November 2025, when they fell to Chelsea in the Champions League. Even more impressively, they haven’t lost to Spanish opposition since October 26, 2025, when Real Madrid bested them at the Bernabeu in the previous El Clasico. The victory provides Barcelona with their first piece of silverware for the 2025-2026 season and keeps them four points clear of Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga as of January 10, 2026.
Manager Hansi Flick’s impact cannot be overstated. Since taking over, he’s turned Barcelona into a trophy-winning machine. Under his leadership, Barcelona have now won all three finals against Real Madrid—two Super Cups and one Copa del Rey. Flick’s personal record in finals is nothing short of extraordinary: eight finals, eight wins, including five with Bayern Munich. According to BBC Sport, "German boss Flick himself has now won all eight finals he has been involved in, including five with Bayern Munich." His tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his squad have made him a fan favorite and a respected figure across Europe.
For Real Madrid, the defeat will sting, especially given their patchy form this season. While they had managed four wins in their last six La Liga matches and came into the final on the back of five consecutive victories in all competitions, inconsistency has plagued their campaign. The pressure on manager Xabi Alonso had eased somewhat thanks to that recent run, but this loss may reignite questions about his future at the club. The expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu are always sky-high, and anything less than silverware is often met with scrutiny.
The Spanish Super Cup itself has undergone significant changes in recent years. Since 2020, the four-team tournament has been held in Saudi Arabia, with the Spanish Football Federation extending the hosting deal through 2029. The decision to stage the event abroad has sparked debate among fans and pundits, but the spectacle and the financial windfall have ensured its continuation. This year’s final was the fourth consecutive Clasico Super Cup, underlining the enduring dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spanish football.
As for the players, Raphinha’s star continues to rise. His match-winning performance and recent scoring spree have made him indispensable to Flick’s plans. Lewandowski’s predatory instincts remain razor-sharp, while the likes of de Jong and Kounde, despite their moments of controversy, have been pillars in Barcelona’s resurgence. On the other side, Vinicius Jr’s return to scoring form will be a positive takeaway for Real Madrid, as will the fighting spirit shown by Garcia and the young talents coming through their ranks.
With the dust settling on another classic El Clasico, Barcelona can savor their latest triumph and look ahead to the rest of the season brimming with confidence. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will regroup and refocus as they chase domestic and European glory. The Spanish Super Cup may be just one piece of the puzzle, but for Barcelona and their fans, it’s a clear sign that this team means business—and the season is far from over.